a

1730. His father was rector of Otham... At the age

of about fifteen he was elected to a Maidstone scholarship, at University College, Oxford. He took his bachelor's degree in October, 1749; and soon obtained a Kentish fellowship at the college, of which he afterwards became president.

Dr. HORNE appears, at a very early period of his academical career, to have conceived a strong liking for the Hutchinsonian philosophy, if that name may be applied to the reveries of a visionary. Not content with viewing the Mosaic dispensation as a system exclusively appropriated to the peculiar circumstances of the Jews, and to the part which they were to fill in the wise arrangements of the MORAL GOVERNMENT, Hutchinson sought, in the Mosaic writings, what they were never meant to teach ;-the true philosophy of the universe. Hence he brought the writings of Moses to argue against the principles of the Newtonian philosophy; and he sought not only for an illustration, but an evidence of the Trinity in fire, light, and spirit ; which, according to him, existed in a triple union in the substance of the air, In addition to these absurdities, he endeavoured to illustrate the operations of Providence and the mysteries of nature by the medium of the Hebrew etymologies. Though Dr. Horne did not affect to vindicate this whole mass of absurdity, yet he undertook the defence of a larger portion of it than became a sagacious critic, or a sound theologian.

Of Dr. HORNE's various works, the best, and perhaps the only one, that will be long remembered, is his Commentary on the Psalms. This work occupied him for the space of twenty years. It

was begun in 1756, and not finished till 1776. Though a good deal of the doctrinal matter in the commentary will not please all classes of readers, or readers of different sects; yet there are few persons over whose hearts the religious principle has any influence, who will not be delighted with the soft, sedate, and hallowed sensibility that prevails throughout; and which almost seems, as if the commentator had discovered the art of touching that devotional lyre, with which DAVID soothed his own sorrows, or elevated the feeling of piety and strengthened the constancy of righteousness among his countrymen. The author reckoned the time, in which he prosecuted this pious work, as containing the sum of his happiest hours. Indeed, what hours can well be happier than those which are spent in similar contemplations? The feeling of THEOPATHY, as it is identified with the works of God and with the proceedings of his providence, is one of the most sublime by which the human breast can be excited, and one of the most pleasurable with which it can ever thrill.

In 1768, Dr. HORNE was elected president of Magdalen College. About the same time he married the daughter of PHILIP BURTON, Esq. of Eltham, in Kent. Three daughters were the happy fruit of this union; of whom Mary, a young lady of very attractive figure, and very interesting countenance, was long the Belle of the university.

Dr. HORNE was advanced to the see of Norwich in the year 1789; when he began to be prematurely sensible of decaying strength and approaching age. While he was walking with a friend towards the long flight of steps which lead

to the episcopal residence, he said with a sighI am come to these steps at a time of life, when I can neither go up them nor down them with safety.'

In the latter end of the year 1791, while on his road to Bath, he experienced an attack of paralysis, of which he died on the 17th January, 1792, in the 62d year of his age.

Few persons have been more sincere in their religious professions, or more exemplary in their moral habits, than Bishop HORNE. The goodness of his heart seemed to bloom in the hilarity of his converse, and the amenity of his disposition.

earnestness.

As a preacher, Bishop HORNE excelled in You were convinced that his heart was interested in the truths he expounded, and the admonitions he gave. Hence he was usually heard not only with profound attention, but with a sort of glowing delight that it is difficult to describe. His sermons resembled the affectionate expositions of a parent, or the tender remonstrances of a friend. His charities were extensive; and they were the more meritorious, because there was no parade in the performance. It would be well for the best interests of mankind, if such men, or none but such, always ministered in the sanctuary.

ROBERT FELLOWES, A. M.
Oxon.

PREFACE.

A PREFACE to a work, if read at all, is generally read the first: though as generally, I believe, written the last. Few authors know the limits of their undertaking till their work is finished; but most readers begin a book with the perusal of page the first.

This custom of writing a preface when the work is complete is attended with peculiar advantages. An author having diligently pursued the thread of his labours, through a space of five hundred pages, may then certainly sit down, and inform his readers, with great deliberation, what he intends to do.

It may not be impertinent to suppose him modestly beginning in some such manner as this :

• It is my intention, in as short a compass as the nature of the subject will admit, to offer, with becoming humility, some important truths to the consideration of my readers, which will, I trust, con

I vince them that the narrative of Captain Lemuel Gulliver abounds with gross and palpable misrepresentations, geographical mistakes, and botanical errors; and will moreover impress conviction on their minds that the whole of that too popular history is a catch-penny account, which deserves no credit. I am clearly able to prove, that such a commander as Captain Lemuel Gulliver never served in our navies; I shall also, in the course of my work, add a few observations on the nature of truth and falsehood, and conclude with a list of British commanders from the

a

time of Admiral Drake inclusive. The whole will form a useful repository of science, be dedicated to the people of Great Britain, and is seriously recommended to the use of schools.'

Thus are we preface-writing authors justified in speaking of ourselves and our performances. Nor is it often that we rest satisfied with a protracted enumeration of our particular accomplishments; we are frequently desirous to enhance their value by asserting boldly, that all who have preceded us in similar attempts have possessed no one requisite for the proper execution of their task.

Upon the whole, however, nothing can be so proper as for an author to recommend his own work. Is not he who writes a book the most likely person in the world to know its excellences? The seeming indelicacy of becoming the herald of our own accomplishments ought not to resist the good of the community. Besides, I would ask, who scruples to commend to a purchaser his dog, his horse, or his daughter? They are well-bred, Sir, and well managed-This from the Godolphin-Arabian-that from Pompey of Northumberland-the other by my first wife, with a well-stocked shop in Houndsditch.

In imitation of so laudable an example, I too shall expect not only pardon, but praise; addressing my reader in the true spirit of such modest assurance, οναιο σου ταυτης της ποικιλομαθιας—I wish you joy of this learned miscellany.

The principal intention however of this proœmium yet remains unanswered. I had only in view to introduce to my readers such of my correspondents as have obliged and gratified me by their assistance; and whose permission to make my public acknowledgments to them will confer on these pages whatever credit they may appear to deserve.

By the indulgence of my valuable friend the Re